Critical 2025 Updates for Foreign Residents in Bulgaria: New Duties and Fines You Shouldn’t Ignore

If you are a foreign national residing in Bulgaria with a valid residence permit, recent legislative changes significantly affect your rights and responsibilities. As of July 2025, amendments to the Foreigners in the Republic of Bulgaria Act (Закон за чужденците в Република България – ЗЧРБ) impose new obligations, stricter compliance requirements, and expanded administrative sanctions. Additionally, provisions of the Bulgarian Personal Documents Act (Закон за българските лични документи – ЗБЛД) reinforce your duty to maintain accurate address registration and valid documentation.

Failing to comply may result in residence permit revocation, refusals, administrative fines, or even temporary bans from re-entering the country. Below, we summarize what every foreign resident needs to know.

1. Change of Address – New (Old) 30-Day Rule

According to the newly added Article 28, para. 5 (ЗЧРБ), if you hold long-term, permanent, or continuous residence, you are now required to:

• Notify the Migration Directorate within 30 calendar days of changing your address

• Apply for the reissuance of your Bulgarian personal residence document reflecting the new address

You can read more in our article about the address registration changes. Previously, the need to change your address was not explicitly mentioned and no fines were imposed in case of delays.

2. Recognition of Diplomas and Qualifications

For certain residence permits based on professional qualifications (e.g. EU Blue Card holders, skilled workers), diplomas issued abroad must be officially recognized by the competent authorities in Bulgaria (НАЦИД). Without this recognition, your application may be refused or suspended.

3. Employer Accompaniment Upon Entry

   
   

   If you are entering Bulgaria under a permit based on employment, the employer or their representative must accompany you when passing through the border, or notify the authorities of your actual arrival. However, both you and the employer should be present in order to meet the requirements.

   
   

   Failure of the employer to comply can:

   • Lead to revocation of your residence permit, and

   • Trigger fines for the employer and for the applicants as well

   
   

4. Application Within Legal Deadlines

   
   

   For residence permits connected to employment, if you do not apply to renew or change your residence status within the legal deadlines, the authorities may:

   • Deny your application

   • Consider your stay illegal

   • Impose an entry ban or an order for removal

     
     

   For example, applying after your current permit expires—even by a few days—can lead to automatic rejection under the law.

   
   

5. Penalties and fines

   
   

   If the new requirements under points 3 and 4 above will lead to fines from BGN* 100 to BGN 500 for first time offenders per violation. However, in cases of more violations the penalties might increase up to BGN 1000.

   
   

6. Оbligations Under the Bulgarian Personal Documents Act (ЗБЛД)

   
   

   In addition to ЗЧРБ obligations, foreign residents must comply with the Bulgarian. Personal Documents Act:

   1. Under Article 9 of ЗБЛД, any person holding a Bulgarian residence document must ensure that the information is accurate and current.

   2. Failing to apply for a new card after a change of address may result in increased fines of BGN 50 to BGN 300 for the first violation and up to BGN 500 for repeat

      violations.

      
      

      
      

7. Checklist

   
   

   To stay compliant and avoid legal trouble:

   ✅ Check the expiration date of your residence permit and initiate renewal at least 1–2 months in advance

   ✅ Ensure all documents (insurance, lease, job contract, etc.) are up to date

   ✅ Notify the Migration Directorate promptly of any changes in address, job, or family status

   ✅ Verify whether your diploma requires official recognition before your next application

   ✅ Do not remain in Bulgaria if your residence purpose is no longer valid

*All amounts in BGN will automatically be converted to EUR after 01.01.2026.

We offer professional support to foreign nationals residing in Bulgaria:

• Residence permit renewals and document review

• Communication with the Migration Directorate

• Monitoring deadlines and compliance issues

• Drafting documents and filling in applications

  
  

📌 The first short consultation is free. Paid legal consultations are required for in-depth legal review, document preparation, or representation. Don't hesitate to contact us.